Two years of blogging – what have I learned?

On this day two years ago (or maybe yesterday, or maybe tomorrow, I can’t actually remember) I sat down in front my computer and published my first ever blog post.

The post was about whether it’s ever OK to have a phone conversation with someone on the toilet. I know – a burning question I’m sure you ask yourself daily. Yeah, well. In two years of blogging my life has changed pretty drastically. I know stuff I didn’t know before. I know people I didn’t know before. I know how to DO things I didn’t know before.

Blogging has taken me to new places, given me new experiences and opened new doors in a career I didn’t even really know existed before I crept into the vast world that is the internet.

Blogging has charted my baby’s growth into a feisty toddler and her battle to start walking. It’s taken me through family loss, new work, holidays, desperate exhaustion and mishaps with crafting. Whatever has been going on in my life off the internet, my blog has always been waiting patiently, ready for me to come back to it and do something creative.

Two years may be a tiny snip compared to other more seasoned bloggers but, personally, I don’t think you can measure a blog’s success on the time it has been around. There are some blogs I love that are less than a year old and some that have been going in the region of double figures. Two years seems like a solid time though. I’m not a baby any more. I’m a bumbling toddler.

Here’s what I’ve learned about the wonderful world of blogging in my two years here:

1) There are no limits

The only person who can put limits on what you post about is YOU. There will always be people out there trying to wield some kind of imaginary wand over the internet as they preside on their imaginary King of Blogging throne, but they don’t actually have the power to tell you what to do. As long as you don’t libel someone or break the law, you’re OK. You can write or draw or photograph about what you want. It’s YOUR blog.

2) There will always be opinions – don’t be scared of them

You can’t please all of the people all of the time. It’s just not possible. The great thing about blogging, compared to other forms of publication, is that you get an almost immediate response. You can debate stuff, agree or disagree, like a photo or not. Whatever. It’s a big wide world out there and you have a place in it.

3) Say yes and the opportunities will come

It might be a blogging conference, or a review opportunity or another blogger asking if you’d like to write a guest post for them. In the last two years I’ve said yes to lots of things and I haven’t regretted one. That’s not to say you can’t ever say no, but saying yes to things you like the look of, despite the juggle of children or weekend plans or the fact you’ve never written a review before, will likely lead to good things. It goes back to Number 1) There are no limits.

4) It pays to be nice

I think this is a life lesson generally actually. Being nice doesn’t have to mean being insincere. If you’re nice and generally considerate to people (readers, people commenting on your blog, other tweeters) you will get more back. I’ve had disagreements with people in the land of the internet before, but I’ve generally found that not running around flinging insults here and there has been in my favour. Plus, my mum reads this blog.

5) Be you

Obvious really. I don’t take the best photographs. All my pictures are taken on my phone. I read lots of blogs with beautiful images but I’m just not that blogger. I can’t do all that soft focus stuff. So I take my snaps and I write. And when I write I write in MY voice, about what I’M thinking. And that’s what makes my blog MINE. If I was writing as myself but trying to imitate the words of another blogger or columnist or whatever, that wouldn’t be authentic now, would it?

Comments

I have learnt not to try and keep up with everyone else; to go at my own pace and write about things that interest me.
I have also learnt not to be scared to join in the conversation and to stick to my guns.
I wish I had read this post when I first started out, it is really fab

I’ve learnt you can’t come on the computer for 5 minutes to do one thing and then just open your blog to check the comments as you will see Molly’s title in the blog roll and think ‘oh that looks interesting’ and your 5 minutes is no longer! lol

Yep, 2 years almost exactly here too. There must have been something in the water! I have learned quality over quantity, and that you are your own worst critic. Also, the world will still turn if you don’t blog for a few days, weeks even. Life goes on behind the blog. I’ve said yes to as much as is practical and haven’t regretted any of it. The opportunities are endless and my prospects feel better even if I haven’t had chance to fulfil them yet. I hope I enjoy the next 2 years just as much. Oh, and happy blogoversary for whenever that was (or is).

Image just started blogging recently so I’m fairly new . Your advice is much appreciated Molly. I’m glad I found you. I’m learning things everyday and best one is to be myself and write as I do and do it at my own pace. It’s hard juggling baby , toddler a house and a blog!! Thanx for your advice .. It’s taken! X

I’m learning all the time – even after 4 years. But most of all I’m learning not to worry about other people’s opinions, about what I write, how often, where I rank or anything else. I don’t have the time at the moment to write long posts, or even write regularly, but people still read, which is wonderful

I didn’t realize how close in time our blogs originated! Sunday marked two years for me, if you ignore the couple of weeks I spent on Blogger (or the “public journal” I had whilst in college).

The biggest thing I’ve learned from blogging is that things that seem obvious to me are not always, or even often, going to seem obvious to others. I’ve gotten better, I think, about articulating assumptions, and not spending so much time expounding upon things most people get without much additional explanation.

Happy bloggiversary Deb! And yes, I absolutely know what you mean. Sometimes I write stuff and I think, “Of course EVERYONE will agree with me, because that is the ONLY way you can view that situation”. I’m inevitably wrong – but I think that’s a good thing. And, for what it’s worth, I think you’re brilliant at articulating assumptions. x

Ah fab post
It is nice to have a few moments being philosophical about blogging, as sometimes the other side to it can take over. (The admin-y bit?)
It is SO true about being nice. There is one blogger out there, whose writing I love, ideas I love etc, but who just comes across as being a bit mean and “above it all”. And now I can’t read it. The internet is such a vast place and there is so much cruelty on here, it is vital that some communities go above and beyond in terms of general kindness!

Brilliant post and happy bloggiversary. I found my blog originally helped me find my voice again after a year off from writing/directing and it harked back to my magazine editing days…it’s my space to write about what I want and has become a creative business too. I think like the others, I’ve learnt to write about what interests me mostly and about topics I’d want to read myself (rather like in screenwriting). It’s a place to share and also a way of connecting with an incredible support system and bunch of other bloggers and tweeters, many I now call friends. Here’s to many more years for all of us x

I’ve learnt that stats don’t really count for that much. That being part of the community – and getting and giving comments make blogging so rewarding.
I’ve learnt there is space for everyone and we are all very different. There is no point trying to keep up with anyone else – just be yourself.
I’ve learnt that blogging can bring incredible opportunities and is a powerful voice.
I’ve learnt that other bloggers aren’t weirdos on the internet really called Derek but wonderful vibrant people whom I love sharing wine, heated conversation and good times with.
I’m very grateful for what blogging has brought me – especially the friends and I very much count you in that.

Great advice. I’ve learned that if you muck about with your blog / messages/ comments/ twitter before the school run / while you cook dinner, you will be late, the dinner will be burned! This happens frequently because the interaction is so enjoyable

I used to blog, but stopped as things (life!) got in the way. I’ve started blogging again recently.

I still have the entries from around 8 years of my life stored on a database, and can read them at my leisure. By stopping blogging, I learnt that I can’t quite remember the years I missed… not really, it’s not the same as reading it in my own words… I’ve learnt that it’s an important part of who I am, and it’s just a shame I can’t get those years back!

I didn’t know what blogging was until now which i think its just talking about anything. What i don’t understand Is how do i start my own blogging site!if you could help me with that Molly or any one else out there that would be great.